Microsoft to support Surface with Windows RT for at least four years

The Surface RT tablet was released last month, but Microsoft has remained tight-lipped about the support policy for Windows RT itself. The company has since released information detailing its declaration to support its initial Surface tablet for four years. ZDNet has taken a look at the new information provided to see what this means for consumers.

The Mainstream Support End Date is set as April 11, 2017, with no Extended Support End Date due to the Surface tablet being classed as a consumer device. Microsoft has updated its policy to provide addition details to cover consumer hardware to better reflect the available support for consumers. Quick snippet:

"For Surface devices, any Surface software installed, embedded or downloaded on the device is subject to the software lifecycle support policy for that software (unlike other HW devices such as Xbox) ... The hardware support lifecycle policy applies only to the Surface hardware (and as stated above not the Surface software). For Surface devices, that policy affects only the tablet device and hardware based accessories (and for example not to soft goods accessories such as cases)."

What does it all mean for the consumer? Those who purchase a Surface RT tablet will be eligible for firmware updates until at least April 2017. Windows RT and the bundled Office suite will both be covered for the minimum five-year period defined for consumer software, providing ample future proofing for consumers.

ZDNet also compared the support provided by Microsoft against competitors. Apple's original iPad, released just over two-years ago, no longer qualifies for iOS updates. It's a cloud of confusion when it comes to Android tablets. OEM partners will be releasing hardware powered by Windows RT, and so far Microsoft's support lifecycle page is current word on expected support dates for hardware released by each company.

Consumers who have been affected by the Touch Cover issues will be pleased to know Microsoft is set to continue to support its products for a generous duration of time.

Reader comments

Microsoft to support Surface with Windows RT for at least four years

You'd probably assume Windows 9 will be released around that time then. While Windows 8 is the latest Windows OS you'd expect the surface to continue to receive upgrades as the hardware requirements shouldn't change too much.

They likely made this leap because there is company pressure. Companies actually really like this device but don't want to be caught buying into something that sees support dropped in a mere 1-2 years. While Microsoft points out it is still a consumer device, I am certain they have their eyes on the big prize here, which is corporate.

The Xbox 360 is a gaming device and still does this well. It wasn't until later that Microsoft started to repurpose it as an entertainment device. The new Xbox is coming I've read late Q3_2013. What they have planned is exciting!

they have done a GREAT job with the 360. From the old days of the horrid "blades" UI to what we have now it is amazing what they have done with the console. THE reason the Xbox is on top is because of the long term commitment to the console. Unlike ADHD nintendo and their Wii that was sold out then wasn't, then a catastrophic crash in sales. Now they have Wii U which is another bridge to no where....with a joke of an online gaming system.

As I stated, the Xbox 360 is a gaming device. Microsoft bolted on other services to extend its capabilities as an entertainment device. It was not designed for the latter and it shows. Microsoft wants to be THE entertainment devices and services provider. The next Xbox is going to be a graphical powerhouse, with multitasking abilities, and refined APIs to not just make it a powerful new gaming platform, but a full on interactive entertainment PLATFORM. What that means is that if it's built modularly like W8 and perhaps uses the same core kernel, we could see gaming devices; video devices; music devices; cable set-top devices from Microsoft and licensees.

Which is kinda weird considering the iPhone 3GS supports iOS6. Even if it already lags terribly with IOS5. That said, hardware nowadays are plenty powerful, so there aren't as many reasons for companies not to support them for longer periods (besides making money of course).

One of the reasons windows is a better choice for those who don't change their gadgets every year (or 6 months if you are an apple fan). Also, if you get the pro model there is no reason you can't get windows 9 on there too I expect.

Sounds about right. A tablet being more like a PC than a phone should last longer than a phone which gets replaced every two years. Right now a lot of people are calling RT a stop gap and I only partially agreee. Odds are by 2017 metro apps will have become the standard to the point where the lack of desktop support won't matter or intel chips will have reached the point of power consumption that they really don't need to use ARM to be competitive and they can drop RT if they choose.